NCGA WELCOMES NEWS ON CUBAN TRADE

DECEMBER 2014

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The National Corn Growers Association welcomed President Obama’s announcement today that the United States and Cuba will seek to normalize relations between the two countries.

“Today’s announcement is good news for American corn farmers,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling. “We have long supported normalized trade relations with Cuba, as we seek to open markets and feed the world. We applaud the Administration for removing regulatory and financial barriers to trade with Cuba and leveling the playing field with other countries.”

Although the United States has allowed agricultural exports to Cuba since 2001, financing restrictions and other hurdles have limited the ability of U.S. agriculture to compete with other nations. U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba were valued at nearly $350 million in 2013, according to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.

“Cuba’s market of 11 million consumers represents a great opportunity to expand trade and increase exports for corn and other ag products,” Bowling added. “We will continue to work in close partnership with both the U.S. Grains Council and our livestock allies to promote corn, corn products, and high-quality protein as a nutrition source for consumers in Cuba and around the world.”